Editor's Note from Neda Smith: It seems like everyone today has the flu. If you are one of them or know someone, please pass Andrea Beaman's great recommendations. She is providing us with some great herbal remedies to help you with your ailments and get you through the season. Believe it or not, even us health gurus get sick too.

“It’s impossible,” they say. “You are the healthiest person I know. How can this be?”

That’s what I hear from folks when they discover I have a cold or flu, or more recently, a virus that can cause laryngitis.

It’s almost as if people think I’m some sort of superhuman who is immune to disease. The truth is, I get sick just like any other person on this planet. I don’t live in a pristine bubble. On a daily basis, I am exposed to toxins, pathogens, bacteria and viruses.

And, sometimes they get in! Especially, when I’m overworked or tired. But, they don’t stay long. That’s the difference between my well-cared-for body today, and the body I used to abuse.

When I neglected the self-care and nourishment my body needed, if I caught a flu or other illness, I was completely debilitated and it took weeks or sometimes months to heal!

Today, when I get sick, my body heals much quicker, especially when I assist the healing process.

The human body is an amazing creation and is perfectly designed. When an illness occurs, it immediately starts the process of protection and repair.

Some immune systems are so strong, in fact, that illness won’t take root in the first place. Unfortunately, other folks, like myself, may have a tendency toward lower immunity. And, there are many reasons for that; antibiotics, poor diet and lifestyle, environmental toxins, overwork and stress, and one of the biggest contributors to poor immunity, not being breast-fed.

In the 1960’s, when I was born, nutritional science advised women to NOT breast-feed their babies. They told moms that human breast milk was inferior to baby formula.

That was a BIG mistake. Breast milk is essential to a baby’s immune system.

When a mother breast-feeds, she is directly implanting into that child the immunity and antibodies from every generation that lived before her. She is giving the little human exactly what it needs for its “internal” survival and protection.

Modern science has confirmed this HUGE blunder and now tells us that formula-fed babies have higher rates of ALL diseases; poor immunity, diabetes, thyroid disease, SIDS, digestive disorders, allergies, asthma, cancer… you name it, we’ve got it.[1]

If you were one of the unlucky formula-fed babies like me, your immune system was compromised as soon as you slid out of the birth canal and into this world where we don’t follow the laws of nature and how we are designed.

Having weaker immunity doesn’t mean you are doomed to get sick and stay sick. There are ways to assist the body’s natural healing process.

This is especially important right now as we have at least three flu viruses running amok and wreaking havoc across the United States.[2]

To aid our beautiful body, we need to understand it’s perfect design. It’s imperative that we go with it, rather than against it. That means do NOT suppress symptoms.
Tips for Healing Flu, Cold and other Viruses

GET INTO BED

When the body catches a flu virus or cold it naturally heats up with fever to destroy the invading pathogens. This is the perfect time to get under the covers, rest, sleep, sweat, and let the body do its work. This is not the time to take symptom-suppressing medication and continue running around at warp speed. Think of this as a short vacation in the comfort of your own home. Relax and read a good book.

EXPEL INVADERS

Large amounts of mucous will begin developing as your body begins to “cleanse.” Excess mucus shows that white blood cells are stepping up into action to fight. First, it will be runny and clear. As the disease progresses, mucus can turn yellow and then green. White blood cells cause this change in color as they flood into an area, fight the invader, die, and pile-up in the process. Assist your body in cleansing the dead heroes and invaders by using a Neti Pot.

It’s also helpful to simply gargle with warm water mixed with sea salt. If you have any anti-viral oils on hand like oregano or tarragon, put one drop into warm salt water and gargle 2-3x per day.

If invaders make it beyond the nasal passages (and many do), help the body cleanse the lungs and bronchial passageways by using an expectorant. Coughing and sneezing is your body’s way of forcefully expelling invaders (just try not to expel them onto people you love).

Put boiling water into a bowl, and add 1-2 drops of tea-tree, peppermint, pine, rosemary, or eucalyptus oil. Hang your head over the bowl and breathe deeply. Have tissues on hand because you may begin coughing, sneezing, and expelling. Remember to empty the garbage pail as it fills with your crumpled balls of mucus.

For those suffering with stomach flu, the body is expelling toxins, bacteria and pathogens through your intestines. Don’t stop that process! This means have LOTS of toilet paper on hand. Take a couple of days off of work to literally poop your brains out.

EAT LIGHTLY AND STAY HYDRATED

It takes energy to digest food. Don’t burden the digestive system with heavy meals. Eat lightly so most of your energy can go toward protection and healing.

Hire a practitioner that understands natural healing. I use an acupuncturist in NYC, James MacLean, L.Ac. who utilizes many facets of natural healing in his practice. He works with my body and it’s systems to help it heal.

The flu doesn’t stand a fighting chance when you align with your body and use it’s self-healing abilities to your advantage. Now, get in there and kick some butt!

And, if you are a health coach or wellness practitioner that wants to understand how to heal the body on many levels, join my New Healer’s Master Coaching Program, for the information to help you work more effectively with your own health and with clients. Don’t delay… classes begin this week!

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About the Author

Andrea Beaman is a Natural Foods Chef, thyroid expert, author, and television host dedicated to alternative healing and sustainable living. Andrea was recently voted by Greatist.com as one of the top 100 most influential health and fitness experts in 2012. As an inspirational keynote speaker, she teaches to a wide base of clients and students at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition, the Natural Gourmet Cooking School, The James Beard House, Kripalu, The Open Center, The 92nd Street Y, and other venues nationwide. Andrea also teaches an advanced Master Coaching Program for health coaches and practitioners around the world that are invested in the wellness industry and healing arts.

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